(Lansing, MI) Today, Representatives Abdullah Hammoud (D-15) and Jim Lilly (R-96) announced the creation of the bipartisan MI Future Caucus, a brand-new caucus comprised of state legislators under age 40. The announcement is part of a nation-wide movement in state houses across the country where millennial legislators are seeking to find common ground in an era of hyper partisanship. With the launch, Michigan becomes the 23rd state to join Millennial Action Project’s national State Future Caucus Network.

The caucus will focus on issues that Millennials care about, including the economy, workforce development and entrepreneurship. Michigan’s Future Caucus will be part of the Millennial Action Project’s national effort to support young elected officials as they work to break through partisan gridlock and reestablish political cooperation.

While there has been a great deal of attention directed at dysfunction and gridlock in government, there is a counter-movement underway–led by Millennials–that seeks to disrupt the status quo in government. Millennial Action Project hopes that as additional younger state legislators course a path of bipartisanship and cooperation, they will be able to bring this perspective to Washington. Currently, 15 millennial members of Congress began their legislative careers in state houses.

“As the State Future Caucus Network continues to grow, we have seen what young legislators can accomplish when they put party differences aside and collaborate on bipartisan legislative solutions,” said Steven Olikara, Founder and President of Millennial Action Project. “Thank you to Reps. Hammoud and Lilly for leading this critical effort in Michigan.”

“I’m honored to serve as a Co-Chair of the MI Future Caucus and with my colleagues, find common ground on substantive policies. Together, we will seek new and innovative ways to tackle political issues that are important to younger generations,” added Rep. Hammoud.

Rep. Lilly noted, “I’m thrilled to lead the MI Future Caucus with Rep. Hammoud. Working together, we hope to find common ground to creatively engage constituents and to build relationships among our fellow caucus members.”